Histoires de Parfums 1740 fragrance review

An olfactory vision of a rough and tumble conqueror.

1740 is one of a number of scents occupying a similar scent profile to a number of my own favourites, each which have their own subtle twist.
This is the leathery, smoky and – to me – traditionally masculine profile that evokes an atmosphere of warriors and conquerors from the annals of history.

A number of these I’ve covered before.

Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille and Tobacco Oud are the aristocratic officers of the Napoleonic Wars as they lounge in their London lunch clubs.
Amouage Interlude Man is the Middle Eastern sultan who roams the desert in search of fortune and glory.
1740 is altogether a stronger, warlike beast.
While named as a homage to the Marquis de Sade, a libertine sadist, to me 1740 is an olfactory picture of a warlord like Genghis Khan.

Initial Thoughts

Smoke, spice and wood are the major accords that greet my nose.
No gunpowder smoke, because guns weren’t invented when Khan waged his wars.
This is the smoke of burning villages, cities and leaves put into the pipe.
Leather armour, woods with a subtle metallic tinge, a spear.
Spices, exotic at the time, worn as a king’s perfume.

The combination is potent, as you’d expect from warriors who spent much more time fighting than bathing.
A somewhat tamed image, of course, as an accurate reproduction of warriors from such a time wouldn’t be quite so pleasant an olfactory experience.

The bottle design is fascinating, appealing and unique.
Rustic, though perhaps not as rustic as its olfactory image.
This doesn’t matter, because it’s a sight to behold in its own right.

The Olfactory Notes

1740 is a fairly linear scent, being that it’s composed mostly of heavier ingredients.

In the opening it features the oft-smelt bergamot, given a twist of uniqueness by the addition of davana.
I really like what davana does for a scent when used in the opening, it’s an intoxicating effect when sprayed.
The davana works similar magic for 1740 as it does for Frapin & Cie’s Speakeasy.

Patchouli, coriander and cardamom are all discernible in the heart.
Coriander and cardamom are two ingredients I don’t usually enjoy whatsoever, but both work well for me here.

The base is thick and resinous, primer of the scent’s incredible staying power.
It features resins of elemi and labdanum, in addition to leather and cedar wood.

Ratings

Longevity: 1/1

I get excellent longevity from 1740, with it staying easily for at least 12 hours.

Projection: .8/1

Strong projection is another feature of 1740, though not monstrously so.
This is a good thing, as more than two sprays of the scent can easily overpower.

Blend Quality: 1/1

I find the blend to be excellently executed.
No faults to mention.

Presentation: 1/1

As mentioned earlier, the unique presentation is something I enjoy.

Personal Smell Score: .8/1

While I do think this scent smells great, and is certainly one of the better ones I’ve nosed, it doesn’t quite possess the wow factor to attain a perfect score in this regard.

Total score: 4.6/5 A+

What Would I Wear This With?

Given its thickness and potency, 1740 is something that would naturally lend itself to winter wear.
However, with a conservative hand on the sprayer, I’ve found it wearable in temperatures up to 23 degrees Celsius.

As it’s a scent with character, it’s best paired with a characterful outfit.
It’ll be out of place with a conservative business suit, so have some fun dressing when wearing 1740.

I think it’s well suited to denser, coarser textures such as those found on workwear or vintage military surplus garments.

Concluding Thoughts

1740 is a beast of a scent, and best approached as such.
It’s well priced and well worth a try.
I wouldn’t class it as a beginner’s scent, but anybody with a few scents in the collection will likely appreciate this one.

Regardless of how much you’re drawn to it, there will be occasion for almost anybody to wear the scent at some point throughout the year.
If you’re a fragrance fanatic, it’s well worth adding this one to the collection.